Work from home Q
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- raybolger2
I used to work for a company doing flash. I moved out of the city and stayed on with the company working from home. The deal was I would still treat the job as a full time job, except that I would be considered an outside contractor. Over the course of a year, my duties have increased dramatically, including areas I didn't handle as a full time employee. When my yearly review came up I was offered a 10% raise and told that since I was an outside contractor I should be happy with this.
I felt kind of stiffed.
Should I say eff it and start charging on a by project basis? Or be happy to have a regular income working from home?
I'm afraid working in these solitary conditions have made me think more on this topic than I should, so I thought I'd run it by the QBN.
Any insight/experience in this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
- doesnotexist0
if you're not happy with the 10% I would definitely consider giving them a counter-offer if you're feeling stiffed. If you think nothing will come of that, maybe you're better off parting ways.
From the sound of your work load from them, it seems like it would be a bigger bother to have to do everything by the project rather than hrly.
- hmm. good pointraybolger2
- +1, project by project would just annoy both parties.Andy_ssw
- guygadouis0
take the money. start networking.
- dog_opus0
I think before you do anything, you should do some comprehensive research vis-à-vis your options beyond this company. Have something solid to stand on from which to discuss terms.
- utopian10
Take the 10% and be happy, in case you have not read or watch any TV in the past year the American economy is tanking and it is going to get worst before it gets better, be happy that you have a job! Take on some some additional freelance to make some extra money.
- scrap_paper0
A buddy of mine has taken a myriad of courses regarding negotiations. A number of things has has told me have stuck but the thing that stands out is EVERYTHING is up for negotiation.
If you are not happy with 10% you have to know what you are happy with. 12%? 15%? 200%? You gotta know this going in.
You have to know what your minimum is and what you want. Always ask higher than you want but never go below your minimum.
- ukit0
Here's the key question: how indispensible are you to that company. The more of a pain in the ass it is to replace you are in terms of skills, and knowledge of their projects, the better hand you have in terms of bargaining. On the other hand, if they could hand the job off to some other designer easily, they will most likely say no.
- Meeklo0
I've been freelancing since 2005, on '06 I opened my own studio.
if your intentions are working full time, then ask for more money and look for another job if they say no. My guess that if you are getting paid as an outside contractor, you are not getting benefits and all that stuff that a full time job should pay you.if this is the case, let them know that if you are treated like an outside contractor in that aspect, then you should on all aspects.
But.
if your intentions are to go freelance..
take the money, and start networking, you have a great chance to give this a try and still have a secure paycheck every month.. start looking for projects on the side, I think it takes at least 3 years in order to know if its going to work or not, (depending on client base and income) once you get to that point you will know which of the 2 you can drop, maybe follow both?
- raybolger20
Funny utopian1, they did mention the economy as one of the factors, but business is good and we haven't lost any clients? If we had I would be sweating a little more.
As for the process scrap_paper, I actually did give them a number. But they came back with THIS is the number and that's that. I did make a counter offer. But it had to do with something besides salary. Sorry, I'm a little worried to divulge too much detail as this is a popular site. But I haven't heard on this counter yet.
- of course they could just click my name and recognize me immedietly, but you catch my drift :)raybolger2